Ellie Simmonds has left the swimming pool behind her and is taking Strictly Come Dancing by storm in her first major career move since retiring after the Tokyo Paralympic Games last summer.
The winner of five Paralympic gold medals, who also set a world swimming record, is hoping to further raise awareness of disabilities through the platform of Strictly, with previous contestants including a number of Paralympians before last year's winner actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who is profoundly deaf, claimed the glitterball trophy.
“If only I had this as a child, watching someone with dwarfism on a dancing show… it’s amazing for disability representation and moving forward," she has said.
